My Movie list 2008
Not restricting myself to the movies that were released last year – here is my list of favourite movies that I watched last year.
The Motorcycle Diaries
Spanish – 2004
Movies can be interesting, intriguing, devastating or entertaining – but this one was exciting! Oh boy, I wanna go on such an exciting motorcycle ride after watching this movie! Adapted from the book by the same name, “The Motorcycle Diaries” is a picturesque account of Che’s life-changing motorcycle ride across South America. Che not only discovers his own country’s landscape, but himself! With a very subtle political tone, this movie can entertain everyone, whether you know Che or not. Brilliant cinematography and a delightful soundtrack add to the movie’s charm. And My favorite actor Gael García Bernal is as brilliant as always.
The Band’s Visit
Israel – 2007
A little gem! A band – group of old and young people – from the ‘Police Orchestra’ of Egypt, land at a deserted town in their rival nation Israel – thanks to the confusion between two similarly sounding town names. An interesting mix of people – they are forced to spend a day and night’s time till their embassy can help them. Generally, ‘plotlessness’ is a turn-off for me, but I simply loved this movie for its unexpectedly hilarious situations, amazing cast and some genuinely moving sequences. The leading lady just stole my heart 
And that Oscar would reject this submission, an interesting tale about languages/communication, because ‘it has more English dialogues than foreign language dialogues’, is just one more reason to hate the Academy!
12 Angry Men
English – 1957
12 distinguished gentlemen are requested by a uninspired judge to decide the fate of a young boy accused of killing his father. The general idea that ‘these-slum-boys-would-do-anything’ rules the minds of the jury, but a single man takes charge and leads the jury. Arguments, arguments and arguments is all the movie is about! At the macro level, this can be seen as a question against the judicial system as such, where as at the micro level it is all about how to influence a group of people. Simple and good method-acting, neat cinematography, great dialogues delivered brilliantly – you might love this movie or would just brush aside this as ‘verbal-diarrhea’
Tricks
Poland – 2007
Watching a good movie suggested by someone is one thing, discovering one by you is a different thing. I ‘discovered’ this little gem during my watching-foreign-films-submitted-for-2009-Oscars-spree and I am really glad I watched it. ‘As luck would have it’ or ‘As Kids see it’ could be an apt tag for the movie. Stefek, a 10 year old boy, tries to answer his unanswered questions about luck, fate, chances on his own and devices his own ‘tricks’. On one bright sunny lucky day, he uses his tricks to reunite his long lost dad with his mom. Would he succeed? Not everyone’s cups of tea as there are many digressions initially, but if you could get past that, you would be treated to a brilliant 40-minute finish. And Stefek’s play area is the not-so-active local railway station! Ah, what a lucky kid!
Poo
Tamil – 2008
A simple (short) story of love and loss adapted to a bit lazy screenplay, Poo is an absolutely honest work by Sasi. Poetic rather than cinematic, Poo progresses as a usual childhood-love story, but Parvathi Menon lives the role of Maari that you would actually pardon all its flaws. In spite of Good cinematography and a soundtrack with strong influences of vintage Raja (and so obviously likeable), it sank without any trace at the box office! And so I got this uneasy doubt - Do the welcome-change movies are running for their content or only the shock value?!
Three Colours – Red
Poland – 1994
What a genius could make such a stunning and befitting finale for an illustrious and influential film career? A Kieslowski like genius! This should be the only movie for which I have done so much of reading after watching it. In his familiar terrain of missed-encounters, double lives, luck and chances, Kieslowski would leave you in awe with this masterpiece. When I say Kieslowski’s name, it is very well implied that the film would have haunting score and some breath taking cinematography. This movie would be there in my final list of best movies ever seen!
A Wednesday & Aamir
Hindi – 2008
Two small films from bollywood last year, with striking similarities and interesting differences in execution (one has a lovable soundtrack; the other has none), are definitely in my list. ‘Aamir’ got into a controversy that it’s a complete rip off from an unheard movie, but the director brushed it aside as ‘just a coincidence’. Nevertheless, both of them are absolute crackers. And Naseeruddin is one gem of an actor. (Incidentally, I watched another naseer-anupam kher(-shabana) starrer – Pestonjee – an old Hindi film – and I just loved it)
Edge Of Heaven
Turkish – 2007
Possibly the best of what all I watched in 2008. I don’t remember how I was initiated to watch this one, but now all I remember are those beautiful montages of a car running at full speed with a haunting song in the background in those endlessly long roads; those redundant shots of coffins moving in and out of planes at the airports; the brilliant screenplay which traverses through the lives of three parents and their children across two rival countries and the serenity that hold me back from skipping even the (marvelously shot) end credits. Fatih Akin, the director, has arrived.
Ore Kadal
Malayalam – 2007
Random quotes from my old review – ““Ore Kadal” is like a whirl of a turbulent current of water. Before you realize, you are taken into it. It is so familiar, intimate and intense that, from the word go, you start grieving as though you are continuing from where you left it last time.” “The complete visual black-out that you often witness elevates the movie watching experience to the task of reading a novel, chapter wise.” ”Half way through “Ore Kadal” (The sea within), anyone who is unaware that it is an adaptation of novel might think of such a possibility. With an intensity that can be achieved only by a well written novel, “Ore Kadal” is a soul stirring movie experience that you feel lost between the pages helplessly flipping in a strong gush of air.”
Spring Summer Winter Fall and Spring
Korean – 2003
Set in a floating Buddhist monastery on an isolated lake, this brilliant film has five chapters, named after each season in the title. The film traces the relationship between a monk and his child disciple, goes through different stages of their relationship and ends on a striking redundant note. For every chapter, an animal is used symbolizing the most prominent emotion of that stage – dog, chicken, cat and snake. With minimal dialogues and stunning visuals – the movie often conveys more than what you ‘see’. Meditative experience
The Class
French – 2008
The winner of the Palme D’Or at Cannes and the surprise finalist at this year’s best foreign films of academy, The Class is a movie from a true auteur – he wrote the book based on his experiences, he adapted it to the screen, directed it and acted in the lead role too! To put it plain, it would be shocking that there is absolutely no drama in this 2 hour long movie but what is more shocking is that the movie is absolutely absorbing. Being a teacher is a tough job man! Watch it for its terrific acting. And yeah, the ‘quasi-documentary’ style can be a turn off though!
The Oscar Race 2009 – #3
The much awaited Majid Majidi film! Watched this as a part of Chennai Film Festival!
The Oscar Race 2009 – #1
Me too? Nope. This is not the usual kinda ‘race’. This is specifically about the ‘Best foreign language film’. I am totally stressed with the work I do at office, so I voluntarily took up this ‘project’ – watching as many movies as possible – as many what? The Oscar submissions! I would consider this series a success, if i get to watch at least five movies from the 70 odd list.
I don’t think Oscar is THE award, neither am a 70 year old movie analyst who has studied microscopically about all the anomalies and predictabilities of Oscars. So don’t expect an ‘Oscar verdict’ and get disappointed. This is just pure usual reviewing/watching but at the right time.
This is really exciting; I hope you too find it so. I am bored of all these usual presentation; I am switching to this format! Cheers!
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Take 5
This is the second installment of Take 5 and I make a huge jump from Kollywood to World Cinema. This time, the list is – five world cinema directors whom I would like recommend. I haven’t watched all of world cinema, but I am not able to stop myself from doing it now!
#1 Majid Majidi (Iran) – He is a safe bet. His movies are simple, straight from the heart and heart warming. No complicated layered narratives, no symbolisms & no metaphysical elements. ‘Children of Heaven’ is a delicious little refreshing film and you will love children more, after watching it. ‘Colour of Paradise’, is a breathtaking fairy tale kinda experience and it opens up a never seen before paradise – Iran is such an exciting landscape! ‘Baran’ is next on my list but I have been already assured my many people that it is sheer poetry. One of the most noted Iranian directors.
#2 Krzysztof Kieślowski (Poland) – He is the man. Undoubtedly, he is the most influential movie maker of this century. People write loads and loads on him, they discuss his movies rather ‘decipher’ them! They way ended is career with a fitting trilogy (Three Colours) stands as a testimony to his brilliance. I just love the cinematography and the music of his films. His ‘Three Colors – Red’ is one of my all time favourites. The more I read about the movie, I more I admired him! “Double life of Veronique’ was equally compelling and captivating. His themes mostly deal with chances, probabilities and misses. And some of his scenes are really erotic! I am waiting to watch his Decalogue. (You can catch some his movies at in UTV world movies at really odd hours)
#3 Pedro Almodavor (Spain) – The craziest of the lot. The one and only accomplished director of Spain. His characters are usually transdressers, queers, pimps, transgenders, HIV positive nuns and what not? The way he weaves his script around them is really astonishing. Moral and cultural contradictions are his themes. He is the God father of Antonio Banderas and Penelope Curz and he gifted their big tickets to Hollywood through his movies. He is openly Gay and he proclaims ‘Bad Education’ , the Gay thriller, is semi-auto biographical. I liked ‘Talk to Her’, a very complex piece of art. ‘All about my mother’ was quite moving too. ‘Women on the Verge of nervous breakdown’ was not rib tickling but I enjoyed watching it (it won an Oscar!). I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Volver’, the most accessible of his works. The music of his movies simply sizzles.
There is no concrete fourth and fifth, because am not confident of them but their movies are indeed intriguing.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet (France) – His Amelie is my all time favourites, I can watch it anytime. It is refreshing, simple and captivating. But my second pick of his, ‘A very long engagement’ was tiresome.
Ingmar Bergman(Sweden) – You would call me mad if I deny that he is a great director. He is the most celebrated director, but something is not working for me! I feel very stupid and small before the understanding he expects. I liked his ‘Wild Strawberries’, it was easy to understand but I still feel there is something big which I simple don’t get. His ‘Cries and Whispers’ had terrific acting and cinematography but again was incomplete for me.
Abbas Kiarostmi(Iran) – Considered to be the best among Iranian film makers, but err, I lack the patience to sit through his films. ‘Taste of Cherry’ was tiring and boring. I slept half way through ‘The Wind will carry us’. But I liked ‘Ten’ a docu-feature, and was really surprised on knowing the way it was shot.
Fatih Akin(Turkey) – It is too early to include him, but I really liked his ‘Edge of Heaven’. One montage in that movie is enough for me to expect more from him! ‘Head on’ is also discussed in many forums. I have hopes on him.
C U!
The Diving bell and the Butterfly
Too vague for a movie title, uh? Not exactly. It is a well thought metaphor for the inner and outer worlds of a man completely physically paralyzed due to locked-in syndrome.
As soon as the titles displayed against X-Rays end, you get to see some vague images. Like, some one trying too hard to open their eyes. Discrete, unclear images. Slowly, you see two people in white uniforms – is it a Hospital? – Ah, yes the Good Samaritan among them looks at the camera and gets excited. “He has opened his eyes” – he shouts. “Call the doctor”. The doctor comes annoyingly close to the camera, talks in a low voice that shows no signs of any excitement and asks “Can you tell me your name”? “Jean-Dominique Bauby” – you hear a voice. The doctor looks blank for a few seconds. Then he goes – “Can you please recollect your name?” “Jean-Dominique Bauby, Doctor!” The Doctor looks dejected – “He is not responding”. “What the ?? Doctor, can’t you hear me??”
Oh, Jean-Dominique Bauby lost his ability to speak. Along with his ability to move. But he is sound mentally, his memories are intact, his imaginations restless, his sarcastic whip waiting to unwind.
Jean-Dominique Bauby is torn between two worlds after a sudden massive stroke. The inner world – he is the just the same here – active and energetic – giving no rest to his creative brain – he was a editor of a most popular magazine after all – his imaginations and memories hovering like a butterfly from one flower to another.
But, for the outer world, he is just a vegetable, showing no signs of life, except a blink of his left eye. Locked-in Syndrome, the one which has devastated him, is like a diving bell pulling him to a deep sea, into a vague mysterious place.
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (TDBB) is a moving cinema. It is based on a real life story, adapted to screen from the book of same name. Yeah, Jean-Dominique Bauby is a real life character, the editor of the same magazine mentioned in the movie, and did everything and experienced everything shown in this movie. It is depressing, to say the least!
But thankfully, TDBB is not an out and out a sobbing drama, because Bauby is not that kind. He is quick and clever witted, sarcastic, confident and courageous. Unlike other movies based on rare-disease-of-the-year, TDBB is poignant, honest and lovely.
The therapists identify a process that would help Bauby to communicate. Take a list of the most frequently used alphabets, read them to Bauby constantly looking into his left eye. When the desired alphabet is reached, Bauby would blink his eye. This way, alphabets are grouped into words, words into sentences! When this method is tried for the first time, the therapist assures him that he can complain by blinking his eye twice, if she is too fast. She starts – “E………….. A………………. I……….” Bauby thinks, “You stupid cow! That is too slow!!”
It must have been very painful, right? But, wait! This one great man, went on to dictate an entire book named “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”, through such a painful communicating process. Welcome to the world of Jean-Dominique Bauby, a stunning embodiment of courage and confidence!
Bauby’s three kids, mistress, recent muse contribute some warm sequences, but its Bauby’s father 
who wins hands down. This is one of the best Father-Son portrayals I have ever seen. I bet you would move to tears.
And this is direction at its best! For the first one hour, the entire narrative is strictly from his inner world, you look through his eyes effectively, thanks to the splendid camera work. And when you become so familiar and intimate to Bauby’s inner world, all of a sudden the narrative cuts to the “outer-world” – and to see Bauby from outside – it is horrifying, shocking and sickening. And at that point itself, the movie achieves more than what it intends to.
There is one brilliant sequence when people from Telephone works visit Bauby. It is such a sharp direction that you feel, the depressing gap between his inner world and the outer world, as much as Bauby can. No, am not revealing it. It is reserved for those of you gonna check out this movie.
A special mention for the dialogues – real at times, poetic at times and funny at times. Sample this – “Here we are. Father’s Day. I guess that even a rough sketch, a shadow, a tiny fragment of a dad is still a dad. Father’s Day. My son wiping the saliva that escapes my closed lips”
There is very limited performance in this movie. Half of the movie is through the protagonist’s eyes; the rest is on him, unable to talk. The only thing I have to say about his performance is – “Poor fellow, his jaws should have pained like hell!”
Woww!! – The Oscar Nominated and Cannes winning direction. Dialogues.
Awwww!! – Few ‘fantasy’ sequences which are unfathomable. But it is a minor thing. Don’t mind.
Verdict – Go for it.
Ore Kadal (Malayalam)
Half way through “Ore Kadal” (The sea within), anyone who is unaware that it is an adaptation of novel might think of such a possibility. With an intensity that can be achieved only by a well written novel, “Ore Kadal” is a soul stirring movie experience that you feel lost between the pages helplessly flipping in a strong gush of air. The movie begins with three successive conversations over phone happening in an unnamed city – Dr.Nathan, a rich renowned social scientist, hastily picks up the phone presumably after an intercourse with Bela, a high class call girl, and refuses to visit his bed ridden aunt. Deepti, a lower middle class house wife, tries to reach her husband Jayan in a distant city to inform that their kid’s health has worsened and she is running out of money. Jayan is talking to his friend as a last attempt to get back his job that he lost 18 months before.
Deepti was living on the slopes of a hill, when she was eight. Her father’s sea side tiny house had always been the subject of her conversation with him. She wanted to visit the sea but her father never serviced her request. The sea was unfolding its distant blue horizons in her dreams. It became a symbol of what ever she was deprived in her four-walled life. She felt suffocated; she wanted to go away off somewhere. She had the calmness of a sea that hid turbulent undercurrents of water. But like any lower middle class girl, she accepted her life as it was offered.
Years later, the deep sea inside her roars again; overflowing as the forbidden romance for Dr.Nathan, a 
womanizer, an alcoholic who is afraid and devoid of any commitments and bonds. His life is full of women – names that he couldn’t remember – relationships that he couldn’t continue or even begin – only the ecstasy of their bodies he could recount. On a windy day, he takes her to bed to celebrate the death of his aunt – the only bond in this world. There is nothing to talk about exploitation here. Deepti in a state of confusion lives through the moments that she would regret all through her life. She breaks the rules once or twice and makes love with him. Slowly, she learns that he cannot offer her the love that would justify the sin she committed. Her small guilty heart breaks when Nathan is even not to able to acknowledge his kid that she carries. She becomes schizophrenic.
Months later, the life of three is caught in a web of love, lust, deceit and guilt. What could possibly end this entire trauma?
“Ore Kadal” is mystical, meditative and endearing. It opens the windows of a haunted house and beckons you inside. It is never judgmental or preachy – it is a warm tale of compassion. You might find it wrong, faulty –but you cannot ignore it.
Shyama Prasad has adapted Sunil Gangopadhyay’s novel Hirak Deepthi, that Satyajit Ray wanted to visualize, to celluloid. You certainly don’t need to know anything about the novel. This poignant movie is a haunting fare on its own. Shyama Prasad’s direction has the touch of a class, the maturity and clarity of an ace director. Austerity is the word – be the direction or art direction. The open ended climax is the best option, because it is a story of no possible end.
The screenplay moves like a kid taking the stairs, skipping a step or two here and there. The complete visual black-out that you often witness elevates the movie watching experience to the task of reading a novel, chapter wise. It is one of the best screenplays I have come across in recent times.
Meera Jasmine, as Deepti, takes you through the dark caves of forbidden love and guilt aided by a sparkling performance. The actor cleverly settles for small subtle expressions. She ably matches the IQ level of a lower middle class house wife. The disturbed mind is evident even in her body language. For instance – in her first schizophrenic outburst she bites Nathan in his chest – very much as Lord Krishna being bitten by his devoted Lady Love Meera – the actor excels! The way she evolves into the poor helpless Deepti is a towering achievement. (Her Deepti lost to Priya Mani’s Muththazhagu in the last round of National Awards)
Mamooty as Nathan is unbelievably harsh and rude, yet lovable. The kind of clarity that he adds to the unusual role speaks volume of his histrionic skills. Ramya Krishna surprises in her brief role – Her Bela is hard hitting, practical and intelligent.
Ouseppachan’s musical contribution is haunting. The five songs blend brilliantly with the narrative, though they mildly resemble with each other. Alagappan’s cinematography is first class.
“Ore Kadal” is like a whirl of a turbulent current of water. Before you realize, you are taken into it. It is so familiar, intimate and intense that, from the word go, you start grieving as though you are continuing from where you left it last time. It is a movie you watch helplessly, caught between the two extremes of virtues and sins; questioning yourself about right and wrong; thinking beyond right and wrong.
Wow!: The mystic charm that gleam in everything – performances, direction, music, cinematography & art direction.
Awwww! : Open ended climax might be unsatisfying. Might be difficult to connect to the basic plot of adultery.
Verdict: Recommended for open minded, serious movie buffs.
Aamir (Hindi)
I know I am very late on this, thanks to my inability to follow the language. I had to wait patiently to lay my hands on the original DVD, and after watching it I couldn’t stop myself from writing about it.
“Aamir” is a spectacular delicious little film, outstandingly made on a shoe string budget. It is probably one of the brilliant directorial debuts (Raj Kumar Gupta, a one time associate of Anurag Kashyap) of Bollywood in recent times.
The opening scene at the airport gives you a clear picture of the unwanted suspicion clouding around a particular community of people. And that sets the mood right for the ensuing drama. Aamir, a doctor returning from London, becomes a victim of bizarre turn of events. The lives of his family members are at stake and he is literally stranded in the streets of Mumbai, with a mobile which keeps ringing all the time. What Aamir is supposed to do is to follow blindly the orders that he receives via the mobile.
It is a thrilling journey, “enlightening” Aamir about the social status of the people belonging to his own community. The rich-poor divide, the holy “war” and the lower class of Mumbai – everything has been handled with clarity and maturity. This is no amateur’s work. 
Thankfully, there are no sermons on what is right and what is not. The director avoids any kind of verbal duel, and presents a visually enriching depiction.
The narrative is highly cohesive and focused. If you are one viewer who expects commercial distractions, check out this movie. It proves more than one point by hitting you hard in your face with its engaging narrative.
And the cinematography(Alphonse Roy) is the work of a man, who is a master of its craft and who is passionate about his work. The flavour of Mumbai is radiant and intact through his lens. The art direction deserves a special mention too.
Rajiv Khandelwal, a small screen actor, makes optimum use of his big ticket to bollywood. He plays Aamir with brilliant sensibility & sensitivity. A worthy addition to the art house talent list. The rest of the acting ensemble is natural and believable.
The music, surprisingly, is as appealing as any commercial film album and in fact better than many of them. Long time since we heard a simple theme music which resonates the feel of the movie. The background score is clever and interesting, seldom a bit overdone.
The best thing about “Aamir” is that it is amazingly genuine and stays honest to the intention and motive behind its making. As a result, you empathize pretty much well with the Aamir. You move to tears when he cries, you smile when he smiles and you feel like Aamir himself. That is a great success, given that this is a debut. And it is inspiring indeed, for it has brought out the best from every individual involved in this project.
I don’t want to classify this as a multiplex fare – “Aamir” has everything, and more, that is required for an engaging watch. A must watch.
Wow!: Almost everything – direction, performances, cinematography and music.
Awwwwwww!: Nothing, really.
Verdict: Recommended.
Tagged – 2
Vignesh has passed on this very sad tag to me. Here i go…..
6 whatever’s about me:
1) Every night I dream strange things. I recollect only very few of them. During a particular semester, each one of my hostel mates in my floor, died day after day, in my dreams. That too, mysteriously. Like, one was performing in an auditorium, and I was watching. Suddenly, a huge rush of water entered the hall, started rising steadily. My friend was performing stubbornly (To people who know me personally, that was Chintu 
). As time passed by, the water level almost reached the ceiling. I miraculously escaped via a small round exhauster. And I realized that my friend was drowning, and the audi was actually in a ship.
2) I am nurturing a secret ambition of being a film maker. And, I am very sure that I want to be a writer. I have started thinking about my first novel.
3) I was born on the 12th day of the 12th month, around 12 noon. So, I might be evil.
4) I stop talking the moment I start watching a movie. The bad thing is that, I don’t let people around me to talk too.
5) One of the funny unreal assumptions about me is that, I am good at studies. That I score marks is a different matter altogether. But, am very weak in all basic sciences.
6) I can easily strike a conversation with any stranger. I think I am proud of it. Because, friends are introduced to you, only as strangers.
5 things I miss right now:
1) My college & hostel life. To say that it was a life changing experience is an understatement.
2) The privacy that I had in my hostel room. I can behave like a different person altogether, if I am not given my privacy.
3) Nights. Yes because nights are no longer the time I stay awake, watch movies, go for a walk, chat endlessly and write. Nights have become the time to sleep after college life.
4) My hostel LAN share system. Anytime you go there, you come back hand full of movies.
5) My brief afternoon shift. I had a lot of my time for myself.
10 things I wanna achieve in a decade: (First it was 6 whatevers, then 5 and now shouldn’t be 4??? Sigh)
Achieve is too much a word. Let me take it as 10 things that I wanna do in a decade.
1) Get a career. Settle in life.
2) Write a book, in Tamil. Write more poems.
3) Go for an abroad tour.
4) Make at least one short film.
5) Read more Tamil & English classics / literature.
6) Improve my social responsibility.
7) Own a DVD library.
Attend more film festivals. Just one this year so far.
9) Go on air as an RJ.
10) Build my physique. People, who know me, just stop laughing now.
The (Boring) book tag **-
**Pick up the nearest book.Open to page 123.Find the fifth sentence.Post the next three sentences.
The book is Omerta is Mario Puzo. It is not mine and I don’t have an idea to read it. Don’t ask then what the hell I am doing with it.
“I don’t want to have to lie to some congressional committee. To become one of my deputies, you will have to clear these things up.” He waited expectantly.
I pass it on to Revs, Joel, Ravi. No other go guys. Cheer up.
